THE countdown is on for the inaugural President Games, set to ignite the National Gymnasium this weekend. The brainchild of President, Dr Irfaan Ali, the event promises intense competition as teams from across the country vie for the coveted One Guyana trophy.
The two-day showdown, bankrolled by the government and organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, will feature action in six disciplines: tennis, volleyball, badminton, futsal, table tennis, and squash. While squash enthusiasts will have to wait until September, owing to the upcoming Senior Caribbean Championships, the other sports are set to deliver non-stop excitement.

For many of the participating associations, the President Games serve a dual purpose: talent identification and tournament preparation.
The Guyana Badminton Association, for instance, is gearing up for the CAREBACO Junior tournament in Aruba later this month and will field a team in the team format at the President Games.
Similarly, the Volleyball Association is using the event as a springboard for their Under-19 and senior teams, with formidable contingents from Berbice and Demerara.

David Fernandes, head of the Guyana Squash Association, emphasised the character-building benefits of competition and how events such as these contribute to developing well-rounded athletes.
Given the tight schedule and shared venue, the sports governing bodies have opted for shortened formats where necessary.